Adolescent Suicide

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Adolescent Suicide

Joseph Connelly Gazzola used to be a Northeastern University football star. He has since taken his own life, and it has hit everyone he knew very hard.

As reported in the Boston Globe, “Mr. Gazzola, known as Joe, was born and raised in North Attleborough, showing a love of football and a tolerance of all types of people. ‘He didn't care much about differences,’ said his father. ‘He could relate to anyone. He was the kind of kid who could walk with princes and paupers and never see a difference.’”

Gazzola is not alone. There have been a numerous suicides on college campuses as well as among teens in the same age bracke. It is a real proble and it is time to take note.

On October 7, 1999, a student at Ramapo College killed himself reportedly due to a break up with his girlfriend, similar to what allegedly caused the fourth NYU student, Diana Chein, 19, to commit suicide by jumping from the top of her boyfriend’s apartment building after a break up on March 10, 2004. The cycle of depression and self destruction is apparent in all cases.

There have been many instances of suicide that have occurred in the past years at universities across the country, and since it is such a sensitive subject, there have not been nearly enough coverage as this topic deserves, considering this issue does not seem to be going away. When collecting data about suicide statistics, the age range is broken down as people ages 15-24, which spans most developmental years. Within this bracket are college-age students and this age-group has by far the most troubling statistics around it.

In a study released by Brown University, their psychology department shed some light on common myths and facts surrounded suicide. These m...

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...s there is a higher awareness level,” said Hayes. “There are still far too many suicides but now they are much better prepared.”

When Gazzola died at NU, the counseling center team dealt with Gazzola’s teammates, roommates, and friends who were left bewildered at this misfortune. Also, with Northeastern’s less than perfect record this academic year, the unfortunate deaths of James Grabowski during the Super Bowl riots (although he wasn’t an NU student, his brother is), and Walter Dedrick found dead in his apartment, (still unexplainable) for example are just a few disasters that demonstrate just how real the problems are and that something needs to be done. It is time for everyone to step up and pay attention to the people around you. Some may not even realize they have a problem, but you can end up making all the difference to a friend in need if you are aware.

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